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A new study of more than 45,000 children and teenagers from nine Spanish cities shows that children who live in colder, wetter climates are at greater risk of suffering from asthma. This is because vitamin D, which is synthesized through exposure to the sun, plays a role in protection against childhood asthma.

The research, published in the International Journal of Biometeorology also noted that vitamin D is extremely important in preventing other infectious diseases. While over-exposure to sunshine can be hazardous, it is now recommended that children receive about 20 minutes of exposure to sunshine each day during the non-peak hours. During the peak hours, 11 am to 3 pm, when the sun is at its strongest, children should be covered to prevent burns and over-exposure. The researchers recommend daily supplements of Vitamin D during the winter months when sufficient exposure to sunlight is very difficult to obtain.